Anti-government protests in Syria are part of a plot by Western governments to undermine a country that supports "resistance" in the Middle East, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a prominent Syrian dissident said that the pro-government gunmen attacked two villages in the north east of the country. Haitham Maleh conveyed the attackers used automatic rifles in the villages of Baida and Beit Jnad near the city of Banias, where security forces killed four pro-reform demonstrators on Sunday.

A resident from a third village nearby said he heard the sound of heavy gunfire coming from the two villages.

The protests erupted in Syria more than three weeks ago. So far, some 200 protesters were killed.